Karen Rose - I’m Watching You

Kristen wiped her damp palms on her slacks. „Clarence Terrill was a two-time offender already. Just one of those guys who slipped through the system. He raped her. Leah was able to give a good description and there was a witness who saw him pull her into his car. He’d bragged to his friends about the ‘retard’ he’d done. We had a good case. We had DNA. Simpson’s strategy in rape cases was usually to have his client admit to the sex, but claim it was consensual. It clearly wasn’t. Despite her handicap, Leah made a very credible witness. Until Simpson began his cross. He was ruthless. He broke every rule in the book and Judge Hillman let him get away with it. I objected so much that Hillman called me into chambers and told me if I didn’t stop being so disruptive, he would hold me in contempt.“ She narrowed her eyes balefully. „I was green then. I’d like to see him try that now.“

„If he’s still alive,“ Abe said.

„One can only hope,“ Mia muttered.

„Simpson brought in witnesses who said they knew Leah from high school and everybody there knew she was easy. That she’d probably come on to Clarence Terrill, strengthening his claim that the sex was consensual.“ She opened the folder. „Tyrone Yates was one of the thirty names on his witness list. So was the last delivery boy, the one you have in protective custody.“

„I say let him loose,“ Jack said, and didn’t look apologetic in the least.

„They weren’t in my database, because Simpson never called them to testify. I objected after three of the little bastards and it was only one of a handful of objections Hillman sustained. Then Simpson started in on Leah’s appearance. She wore revealing clothes, which she didn’t. Did she like boys? She was under oath, so she said yes. Did she want to get married some day, was she curious about sex? Had she had sex? Did she like sex? I objected and objected, and Hillman fined me. Anyway, the jury found Terrill guilty. Hillman thanked the jury, told them they could leave and when they were gone, he said Leah’s testimony clearly showed she consented and that he was setting aside the jury’s verdict.“

Mia’s jaw dropped. „Sonofabitch.“

Kristen paused, remembering the day. „I was stunned. I remember Terrill high-fiving Simpson and giving Leah a wink as he left the courtroom. He winked at her. I couldn’t believe it. Leah was devastated.“ She sighed and leafed though the documents in the folder. „Leah’s only relative was her mother, but she had lots of friends. If one of them is our vigilante, we’re going to have a very difficult search.“

Friday, February 27,

11:30 a.m.

Drake closed the door to his office. „They’re getting closer.“

Jacob leaned back in his chair. „How do you know?“

„Spinnelli left the mayor’s office without getting chewed out.“

„Ah, yes. Your niece in the mayor’s office. How is she?“

„As lovely and as loyal as ever.“

Jacob fidgeted with his cuff link. Elaine had roused herself enough to lay out his clothes for him this morning before she’d gone back to bed. His wife was in a constant drug-induced stupor these days. Sometimes he envied her. But someone had to run the household.

„The Medical Examiner released Angelo’s body this morning,“ he said.

Drake’s shoulders sagged. „Jacob.“

Jacob looked away, unable to bear the pain on his friend’s face, knowing it was a reflection of his own. „There can be no viewing.“ There wasn’t enough of Angelo’s face left. The thought of it made him nauseous all over again. My son . „We’ll have a closed casket ceremony tomorrow.“ But on the heels of his sorrow came blessed rage, cold and exacting. „I want Angelo’s killer before then, Drake.“

Drake stood up. „I’ll call you when I know something.“

„How is Miss Mayhew?“

„Scared. She’s never without a bodyguard. Her circle’s closed ranks, too. We almost got the little girl from the school, but one of the Reagans got there before we did.“

„Disappointing.“

„There’s a family christening tomorrow.“

„Better. Keep up your watch of Mayhew and Reagan. I want you to get to this parasite before they do. I don’t want him to stand trial. Juries are terribly unreliable. Oh, and Drake?“

Drake stopped at the door. „Yes, Jacob?“

„What have we done with the Richardson woman?“

A slight pause. „She’s no longer a problem.“

Jacob regarded the defensive set of his friend’s back, knew his… appetites. He’d always overlooked this side of Drake, because it was a man’s own business how he found gratification. But perhaps now it could be put to good use. „You have her, then?“

„I do.“

„Will she be missed?“

„She told her boss she needed time to let the Alden scandal die down because it was affecting her ability to get good interviews.“

„Was she convincing?“

Drake half turned, a wolfish gleam in his eye. „Very.“

„It’s a closed casket, Drake.“ Jacob let the statement hover between them, then watched as Drake caught his meaning.

„She wanted an interview with a Conti,“ Drake murmured. „I’ll see she gets one.“

Jacob watched the door close behind Drake, knowing his oldest friend would see that business was done, then turned his mind to the matter of the investigation at hand. As soon as they knew the identity of Angelo’s killer, Miss Mayhew would no longer be required. He hoped Drake’s appetites extended to redheads.

Friday, February 27,

4:30 p.m.

„Detective Reagan.“

On their way back into the station, Abe looked over his shoulder to see Richardson’s cameraman hurrying behind him. „Haven’t they done enough?“ he gritted.

The cameraman jogged up to meet them, no camera in his hands. „I’m Scott Lowell.“

Abe narrowed his eyes. „I know who you are. What do you want?“

„I know you hate me and I don’t blame you. I just wanted you to know that Zoe’s gone.“

Abe and Mia exchanged a quick glance. „What do you mean, gone?“ Mia asked.

„She went to request an interview with Jacob Conti yesterday.“

„God, the woman’s got balls,“ Mia marveled.

„She went alone,“ Scott said.

„More like rocks in her head,“ Mia amended. „So she didn’t come back?“

„No, she came back. Mad as hell and muttering about how she’d nail Conti to the wall. Then this morning she calls in to say she’s taking a leave of absence until this thing with John Alden blows over.“

„And you don’t believe her,“ Abe said.

„She would never walk away from a story. She wanted Conti, but she wanted Mayhew even more.“

„You mean she wanted the vigilante story,“ Mia said.

„Sure she wanted the story. It was her ticket. She was getting calls from CNN and NBC, for God’s sake. But she really hated Mayhew. She never would have just walked away.“

„Why does she hate Kristen so much?“ Mia asked.

Scott shook his head. „Don’t know. Don’t want to know. It was bad enough having to capture it all on film. I could say I was only doing my job, but I know that’s no excuse. Please tell Miss Mayhew that I’m sorry.“

Abe clenched his teeth and Mia continued. „I’ll give her the message, Mr. Lowell. Did you report Richardson’s disappearance?“

Scott shrugged. „Didn’t seem to be any point. She made the call herself. I just wanted you to know in case it becomes important. I have to go. I got reassigned to a different reporter today. Good luck.“

He walked away and Mia sighed. „A killer who takes out scum. Wealthy scum like Conti beat up old men, then take out Richardson. I’m not sure who the good guys are anymore.“